Comments Off on PHT Morning Skate: Rangers-Flyers meet in pivotal Game 4

AP

It feels like it was forever ago when the Rangers and Flyers last played, but the two will finally meet for Game 4 tonight in Philadelphia.

New York’s 2-1 series edge and goal scoring fortune in Game 3 made Flyers coach Craig Berube make the switch to Steve Mason in goal. The Rangers hope they’re rushing him back from injury as they hope to send the series back to Madison Square Garden up 3-1.

Elsewhere, a pair of key Game 5s are happening in St. Louis and Anaheim as those series are knotted up 2-2. Wins by the visiting Blackhawks and Stars could make Game 6 more difficult for the favored Blues and Ducks.

Something felt a little bit off in how things went down for Philly in Game 3. They were blitzed by the Rangers early on and weren’t able to recover and then made a switch in goal in the third period after Daniel Carcillo scored.

Meanwhile, the Rangers have been getting their offense sparked by 2004 Stanley Cup winners Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards. St. Louis’ five points and Richards’ four points (as well as Rick Nash‘s four assists) have their offense buzzing. Derek Stepan has also been impressive and their work against a Flyers defense that has its issues has shown through.

If there’s something for the Blues to be worried about headed into Game 5 it’s that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews might be awake and making a difference. That was certainly the case in Game 4 where Kane was a force and had the overtime winner. If there’s an upside to find out of that for St. Louis, it’s that Chicago needed overtime to tie the series in the first place.

Plenty has been made of blowing leads in the postseason and Chicago is as guilty as anyone having done that in three of four games in the series. The difference in Game 4 was that the Blackhawks came away with the win instead of a crushing overtime loss like in Games 1 and 2.

A key for the Blackhawks in Game 5? Finding a way to shut down Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues youngster has four goals in the series and is the most dangerous player on the ice. With David Backes still out, Tarasenko has to become a marked man for the ‘Hawks defense.

Any chance the Ducks might be getting a bit nervous? Game 4 saw things go south quickly with Ryan Getzlaf sitting out and Teemu Selanne a healthy scratch after not producing much. Add in a few in-game injuries and goalie Frederik Andersen getting chased out and suddenly things look terrifyingly messy for Anaheim.

That’s music to the ears of Stars coach Lindy Ruff who has seen Kari Lehtonen play outstanding in goal and Jamie Benn play like a man possessed offensively. The Stars have also found ways under the Ducks’ skin as was shown at the completion of Game 4 when things got a bit rough.

Dallas has been irritating in all facets though with key timing for their goals and a few carefully placed facewashes. The Ducks have to hope returning to Honda Center will settle them down or else Bruce Boudreau’s squad could be in big trouble.